Can a Recipe Exchange Boost Your Small Business?

[Cassie1037]

I came across a craigslist ad for a monthly recipe exchange for women. I called the organizer and got more details: monthly meeting at a church, anyone invited (women only) brings recipe of her choice for others to try and recipe cards for them to take if they wish. Apparently there have been so many responses to the ad that the organizer has decided to let the reps from small businesses "sponsor" each meeting. Among the many women interested there are personal reps from: Mary Kay, Super Suppers, Tupperware, and (myself) Pampered Chef!!!

So, each meeting I will be able to set out paper materials (catalogs, flyers, etc.) for people to take if they would like and other than that I will be there strictly for the recipe exchange. Now, if anyone approaches me, I can pitch to them and give them info. Otherwise I will not be.

Any ideas of what materials i should bring, or what is best for people to carry away for this type of venue?

Also, on the month that I (Pampered Chef) sponsors the meeting, I will provide drinks, door prize, and best recipe prize for the night. Also, i will be given the chance to get up in front of everyone and tell them about the business, my experience, anything i want to, etc.... any ideas what i should be sure to include? My month is February, so I have a while to plan... but I'm wanting to be prepared. Aghhhh! Please help... anything is valuable, your experiences, what you take to trade shows, etc.

Thanks so much!:thumbup:

 

[chefann]

What a great opportunity!

For paper materials, I'd have cattys, hosting flyers (the glossy ones from supply order), Your Life Your Way brochures,fundraiser flyer and monthly specials. Take a small case with you containing host packs, calendar and YLYW DVDs.

For your month, that will take a little more thinking through.

 

[Cassie1037]

For paper materials, I'd have cattys, hosting flyers (the glossy ones from supply order), Your Life Your Way brochures,fundraiser flyer and monthly specials. Take a small case with you containing host packs, calendar and YLYW DVDs.

For your month, that will take a little more thinking through.

Thank you! I have not heard of the hosting flyers, I will definitely order them though.

 

[dwyerkim]

I would think about making up little packets for everyone... maybe the mini catalog, your life your way brochure, wedding registry brochure, and hosting brochure. And maybe include in there a flyer with the next several months specials listed on it. You might also include fund raising info. For your presentation, maybe do a super fast demo--something really cool that you can do in under 5 minutes--then maybe walk them through the host benefits and give a visual of what your best host ever received--stack up the products and tell what she paid for all of them, or just stack up $90 worth of stuff and tell them that our average host gets $90 free (I think that is correct). maybe also tell your story super super fast as a way to mention recruiting. Have your calendar and host kits ready for people who want to book. And maybe draw up a list of fun late Feb/March theme shows... soup and slippers, luck o' the Irish, welcome spring... I'm sure you'll have better ideas than those!

 

[Teresa Lynn]

Is it at the beginning of the month? do an awesome chocolate recipe they can duplicate for their sweetie

 

[jlevernier]

Don't forget Feburary is a great time to talk about retiring products, get a few orders/bookings that way. I would also mention Round up From the Heart since it's a food group. Being women only, don't forget to mention, or bring fliers, on the May HWC month!

--Jenny L

 

[Cassie1037]

I would think about making up little packets for everyone... maybe the mini catalog, your life your way brochure, wedding registry brochure, and hosting brochure. And maybe include in there a flyer with the next several months specials listed on it. You might also include fund raising info. For your presentation, maybe do a super fast demo--something really cool that you can do in under 5 minutes--then maybe walk them through the host benefits and give a visual of what your best host ever received--stack up the products and tell what she paid for all of them, or just stack up $90 worth of stuff and tell them that our average host gets $90 free (I think that is correct). maybe also tell your story super super fast as a way to mention recruiting. Have your calendar and host kits ready for people who want to book. And maybe draw up a list of fun late Feb/March theme shows... soup and slippers, luck o' the Irish, welcome spring... I'm sure you'll have better ideas than those!

OOH, I love the idea of stacking up the products! Thanks.

 

[Cassie1037]

Thank you Teresa and Jenny for your ideas, I think a sweet recipe will be perfect... and definitely mention HWC.:thumbup: